Patents Examined by Stephen Husar
  • Patent number: 6886970
    Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes a dial plate, a light modulation member disposed on the dial plate and a controller for controlling the light transmissivity. The light modulation member has variable light transmissivity, and the controller changes the light transmissivity according to a condition of the vehicle when operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Wada, Katsuhiro Kumazawa, Takaaki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6886968
    Abstract: A hitch illumination apparatus comprising a hitch body assembly, a hitch attachment assembly and a hitch illumination assembly. The hitch body assembly includes a base member and at least one arm member. The base member includes a first end and a second end. The at least one arm member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is positioned proximate the first end of the base member. The at least one arm member is pivotable relative to the base member. The hitch attachment assembly includes a hitch attachment member and a hitch body attachment member. The hitch attachment member is capable of attachment to an existing hitch. The hitch body attachment member is capable of attachment proximate the second end of the base member. The hitch illumination assembly includes at least one lamp associated with the second end of the base member. The hitch illumination assembly includes at least one clamp that is associated with the second end of the at least one arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventors: Lawrence Robert Hamelink, Scott Thomas Williams
  • Patent number: 6886965
    Abstract: A light fixture has an electrical light-emitting lamp, a hollow and at least partially light-transparent shade spacedly surrounding the lamp and formed with a throughgoing hole having an inner edge, and a transparent prismatic jewel generally filling the hole and having a faceted outer surface turned away from the lamp and an inner surface turned toward the lamp. This jewel is fixedly retained in the hole such that light emitted by the lamp impinges the jewel inner surface, passes through the jewel, and is emitted from the jewel outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Herner Glas Bernd Hoffbauer GmbH & Co. Leuchten und Industrieglas KG
    Inventor: Bernd Hoffbauer
  • Patent number: 6886955
    Abstract: An illumination structure includes an operation button having a front face on which is formed an identifying indication of ‘AUTO’ made by exposing an opalescent synthetic resin to easily penetrate light and the other parts are painted in black. It also includes an illuminating part provided on a back of the operation button, which illuminates a back of the identifying indication, and plural protrusions in a shape of ribs that regulate an intensity of light penetrating through the identifying indication. In this structure, the plural protrusions obstruct and diffuse the light beams that advance from the illuminating part toward the back of the identifying indication, thereby achieving uniform emission of the light beams from the whole identifying indication. Further in the manufacturing process of the operation button, contraction of a front face of the operation button accompanied with coagulation of the synthetic resin is dispersed by the plural protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 6883939
    Abstract: A detachable lampshade includes an upper ring and a lower ring parallel to each other. Multiple shades are made of a resilient material and are bent outside the upper ring and the lower ring. Each shade has two rods respectively provided at two sides thereof A plurality of tubes is provided between the upper ring and the lower ring. Each tube has a channel longitudinally defined through an outer periphery of the tube. An upper slot and a lower slot are transversally defined at a diametrically opposite side of the channel for respectively locating the upper ring and the lower ring. The adjacent rods are received in the respective tubes through the channels and positioned between the upper ring and the respective upper slots, and between the lower ring and the respective lower slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Chaur-Bing Chen
  • Patent number: 6883950
    Abstract: A lighting unit having a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in parallel, a plurality of light-guiding members arranged along a direction wherein the LED light sources are arranged, a light reflecting part arranged on one side face of the light-guiding members, a light diffusion part arranged on an other side face of the light-guiding members, a light semi-transmitting reflection part arranged between the LED light source and the light diffusion part, and an optical path changing part arranged above the light-guiding members. A side of the light-guiding members that faces the light diffusion part is flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Ikuo Hiyama, Makoto Tsumura, Shusuke Endo
  • Patent number: 6883938
    Abstract: A lighting equipment comprising a reflector having a substrate comprised of a thermoplastic resin containing an alicyclic structure on which is formed a reflecting layer having a reflectance of at least 70%. The reflecting layer of the reflector is preferably comprised of a metal. The reflecting layer preferably has a thickness of 5 to 10,000 nm. The amount of the repeating units containing polar groups in the thermoplastic resin containing an alicyclic structure is preferably not more than 50 wt %. The thermoplastic resin containing an alicyclic structure preferably has a melt flow rate of 4 to 100 g/10 min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiji Kohara, Yuichiro Konishi, Junko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6883934
    Abstract: A light source device 41A, 41B or 41C comprising a lens 44A, 44B or 44C which receives light from a light emitting device 43 such as LED. The lens 44A is a lens having the property that the directivity of exiting light in the Y direction is higher than the directivity in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. Namely, the light emitted from the light emitting device 43 is condensed in a narrow angular range in the Y direction, and is scattered in a wide angular range in the X direction. When the light source device 41A is used as a light source of an illumination device of a liquid crystal device, the height direction of a light guide in which the dimension is small coincides with the Y direction, and the width direction of the light guide in which the dimension is large coincides with the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Kawakami, Kogo Endo
  • Patent number: 6883930
    Abstract: A compact signal light is provided with LEDs arrayed across its front face, and a magnet and/or suction cup on its rear face so that a user may readily mount it on a refrigerator door or the like. The front face of the signal light may bear the name and telephone number of a delivery or emergency service so that a user may resort to the signal light when making an emergency or delivery call. The user may then turn on the signal light so that its LEDs are illuminated (with one or more of the LEDs preferably flashing), and place the signal light on a door or window where the delivery or emergency service is to be rendered, so that the location is more easily found by the delivery or emergency personnel without “hunting.” The signal light provides a particularly valuable tool for pizza delivery companies and the like because it serves as an advertising tool reminding the consumer of the company, as well as providing the company with a way to more quickly and efficiently render its delivery services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Metalex Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Saban, Ned F. Lafon
  • Patent number: 6883924
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus 10 comprising light sources 12a, 12b for emitting light, a plurality of light reflection portions 20 formed on the reflection side for reflecting light incident from the light sources, and a linear photoconductor 14 for causing the light to exit from the exit side opposed to the reflection side, the planes of the plurality of reflection portions being respectively tilted at angles which converge the light to the human eyes watching. Angles of the light reflection portions are set so that exit angles of light exiting from the linear photoconductor are required angles, whereby the lighting apparatus can have a uniform light intensity distribution. The application of the lighting apparatus can provide a liquid crystal display of good display characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Maeda, Hirokazu Aritake, Takao Satake
  • Patent number: 6883951
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combinative decorative light equipment wherein a plurality of lighting elements are mutually connected into several individual lamp groups by wires in series or series-parallel manner, so as to be hung on a structural framework. The upper connectors of said lamp groups are installed on the connecting device of different structural frameworks, and which are connected into a decoration framework, so that the lamp groups on different structural frameworks are mutually connected to form larger lamp groups and assembled into a pre-designed decoration body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Jeng-shyong Wu
  • Patent number: 6883949
    Abstract: A light pipe having one or more exterior protrusions that function as a secondary light source and an alignment component. The one or more exterior protrusions may provide a secondary light source by reflecting light from a primary light source. The one or more exterior protrusions also may function to align the light pipe with a lamp assembly or an object on which the light pipe is mounted. Further, a lamp assembly having a light pipe receiving portion, with one or more slits to allow an opening to expand upon insertion of the light pipe, and to provide a retention force upon contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Andras Gyimes, Ronald Charles Du Pont, Dragos Luca
  • Patent number: 6880947
    Abstract: A direct-type backlight unit for a flat panel liquid crystal display includesat least one lamp installed in a housing, a diffusion plate installed above the lamp, a reflection plate having a reflection surface and a back surface installed under the lamp for reflecting light generated by the lamp from the reflection surface to the diffusion plate, and the reflection plate having at least one aperture thereon, and a heat dissipating plate combined with the back surface of the reflection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Kun Hsieh, Chuan-Pei Yu, Han-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: 6880962
    Abstract: A solid-state light source (10) that is compatible with the existing sockets normally reserved for filamented lamps (100). The solid-state light source (10) includes a hollow base (12) formed to mechanically and electrically adapt to an existing socket normally reserved for lamps (100). A sub-assembly (14) is adapted to cooperate with and fit into the hollow base (12). The sub-assembly (14) includes a circuit board (16) with a plurality of solid-state light sources (18) mechanically and electrically connected to one side (20) of the circuit board. Two electrical contacts (22, 24) are positioned on the other side (26) of the circuit board for connection to an electrical circuit. A light pipe (28) covers the plurality of light sources (18) and extends away therefrom to a terminal end (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Coushaine, Steve C. Sidwell, Michael Tucker, Thomas Tessnow
  • Patent number: 6880950
    Abstract: A flashlight has a pair of light emitting elements mounted on a pivotable switch actuator to place the light emitting elements in any one of an OFF position, a spot illumination position, and a flood illumination position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Lumilite International Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Chan
  • Patent number: 6880959
    Abstract: The invention is a vehicle illumination assembly that provides a vertically extending guide member connected to the bumper of a vehicle. The guide member includes a longitudinal opening and a top opening that each provide entry into the hollow interior of the guide member. The longitudinal opening encompasses a first light source that is bright enough to shine light from one end of the vehicle all the way past a second end of a vehicle. The top opening encompasses a marker light that visibly alerts a driver to the width of the vehicle. The vehicle illumination assembly of this invention may include a guide member that connects to a base member attached to a vehicle bumper. The separate guide member rotates around its longitudinal axis to direct light into a variety of directions, selectable by the driver from within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Timothy K. Houston
  • Patent number: 6880961
    Abstract: A color separation disc assembly combinable with an article formed of optical fibers. The assembly has a color separation disc that is able to rotate along with a shaft of a motor for generating different colors on ends of optical fibers by separating light emitted from a light source therethrough. A lightning ball is adjacent to the article and electrically connected to a high voltage generation circuit for generating lightning therein, enabling the article to have a colorful appearance within a dazzling environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Cheng-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 6880957
    Abstract: An electronic lighting apparatus with at least one multiple position adjustable lighting pod. Each lighting pod includes at least one variable intensity light source and a proximity sensor for detecting objects interposed between the lighting pod and a work field. Each variable intensity light source is powered by a controllable pulse width modulated power supply or other suitable power supply which can be utilized to vary the intensity of the light source. In response to detection of an object interposed between a particular lighting pod and the work surface, the power to that lighting pod is increased, increasing the illumination of the work field. Alternatively, power to that lighting pod may be decreased and power to alternate lighting pods is increased, thereby minimizing shadows within the work field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Wayne Walters
  • Patent number: 6880948
    Abstract: An illuminant that also functions as decorative wallpaper or as an architectural decoration is disclosed. The illuminant may include a light generation part such as an organic light emitting material, a light guide such as a tapered light guide, and a surface pattern. The light source generates the light that is guided to small opening in the surface pattern to provide illumination. The surface pattern may be formed as a decoration or subsequently processed to form the decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Zeolux Corporation
    Inventors: Gene C. Koch, Charles M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6877877
    Abstract: A single intravenous drip components illumination device containing a source of light that can illuminate IV bags or bottles, drip chambers and tubing. The directed light of the light source provides adequate lighting for use of the invention in unlit or dimly lit settings with minimum lateral scattering. The invention is powered by an external AC or DC power supply and/or by batteries mounted internally to the base of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Embo-Optics, LLC
    Inventors: Joel J. Rodriguez, Richard A Simmers, Joan O'Donnell, Alejandro Berenstein